Browns running back Trent Richardson was not going to miss a minute of training camp, which started for the rookies on Wednesday in Berea.

After signing his contract with the team earlier in the week, the first-year Brown was on the field with his fellow rookies as the team held its first practice of training camp Wednesday at the Berea training facility.

“I didn’t think I was going to miss time at all,” Richardson said. “They wanted me to be here and I’m happy to be here. I wanted to be here as soon as possible. It was a good deal for me; it was a good deal for them. I’m just happy to be here, very happy to be getting paid like I am. It’s a blessing.

“It’s a blessing to live your dream. It’s surreal because once you get money, it’s like, ‘What do I with it?’ You’ve got to save and invest and make sure you could live your life for the rest of your life because after football, you’ve still got at least 45, 50 years you’ve got to live. For me, it’s a lot of investing and saving for me.”

While Richardson plans to save and invest off the field, between the lines, he plans on spending every bit of his energy to compete for carries in the Browns’ West Coast offense. Richardson will be competing with veterans Brandon Jackson, Chris Ogbonnaya, and Montario Hardesty, as well as fellow rookie, Adonis Thomas. Thomas was signed to a contract after coming to the Browns’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

The full squad reports Thursday and the veterans will practice with the rookies Friday. The first public practice of training camp will be Saturday morning.

“It’s going to be way different because all these guys are hungry and everybody’s out here working,” Richardson said. “When the vets get here, they’re going to be turned up, so we have to up our tempo just as well. There’s going to be a lot more football players out here so we can go fast and get winded more because we’ve got time to run the different plays and stuff. We all have to be turned up and no matter what, we have to make sure we’re doing our job and we’re all out here trying to contribute to a winner this year.”

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said he felt Richardson came to Berea “in better shape” than after the last organized team activity in June.

“Guys come in when they’re drafted that high and as you might expect, they’re visiting a bunch of clubs; they end up going to New York for the draft,” Shurmur said. “They get caught in that whirlwind of being drafted, so when you see them initially, even though they did a lot of preparation up to the draft, they’re a little bit out of shape. I don’t sense that now. I sense that he’s in very good shape.”

Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden are learning the Browns’ system, but the rookie running back thinks the two are “going to fit right in” when the pads go on for the first time Sunday morning.

“We’re doing everything we can, if it’s studying, watching more film, running through the plays, finishing the throw, we’re doing everything we can to make sure we’re professional and ready for this first preseason game and the first regular season game,” Richardson said. “I think we have a big contribution to the team, but as far as being a god, savior, something like that, that’s not what we do. We’re here to contribute to the team and work hard. I think Brandon (and I) are going to be a good combo when it comes to contributing to the team. I think this rookie class is a good rookie class for this team.”